Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State will go back to the Minister. As I said, I have had him in Carlow, we met different groups and given our population growth an injury clinic has to be part of the plan going forward. The Minister of State said an implementation plan for the recommendations from the review is now being developed and areas such as Carlow will be considered as part of the implementation plan. What is the timescale on this and is there a date? The good people of Carlow are so lucky to have a hospital as good as the one in Kilkenny, but it is half an hour away. Our population has grown so much. We need an injury clinic in Carlow as soon as possible. I am sure the Minister of State will come back to me on the primary care, but the reason I spoke about it is we were promised a centre that would include Tullow, Hacketstown, Rathvilly and all that area, yet I am worn out talking to CHO 5. I might as well tell the Minister of State I am constantly ringing the organisation and trying to get an update and I just do not seem to be getting anywhere. I again ask that he talk to the Minister and I will speak to him as well.

I met some councillors from the Borris area recently. The census showed the area has one of the oldest populations in Carlow, with an average age of 44.9 years. It is also looking for a primary care centre because it is one of the most rural parts of Carlow. These facilities are going to be so important going forward, because people are living longer, which we are all delighted about, but we need to be able to facilitate people in that. We must be able to ensure people can access these things.

I was in St. Mullins last night at a big public meeting. It is very close to Borris. It is the most beautiful part of Carlow. We have so much to offer in Carlow. I am looking for two primary care units and an injury clinic.

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